Steep roof and high roof charges on an insurance claim
Xactimate has separate labor charges for steep pitches (7/12 to 9/12, 10/12 to 12/12, and over 12/12) and for roofs two stories or higher. Each one applies to both the removal and the installation of the affected squares. Carrier estimates often include the install charge and skip the removal charge, or apply the wrong pitch band.
Why it gets left off
- —The removal side of the charge is left off.
- —Only part of the steep area is counted.
- —A two-story roof is written without the high-roof charge.
The code or standard
Standard estimating practice: steep-slope labor charges apply to all area at 7/12 pitch and above, for removal and installation. Standard estimating practice: high-roof charges apply to roofs two stories or greater for removal and installation.
How to measure it
Squares by pitch from the measurement report's pitch table, and the number of stories from photos.
Typical value on a 30-square roof
12 SQ at 8/12 (remove side) × $56.00/SQ ≈ $672
National ballpark price. On a real claim ClaimGap uses the unit price from the carrier's own estimate.
What to put in the supplement
- The pitch breakdown page from the measurement report.
- An elevation photo showing the number of stories.
Questions
- Do steep charges apply to removal too?
- Yes. Xactimate has a separate 'Remove additional charge for steep roof' line for each pitch band.
- What counts as a high roof?
- Two stories or greater at the eave. Measure from the ground at the eave line.
This guide is general information for roofing contractors documenting their scope of work. It is not legal advice. Code adoption varies by jurisdiction, and some states restrict contractors from negotiating claims on a homeowner's behalf.